Chapter 170 Tennis 58
"Do you still like me?"
…Huh?
Kurikawa Sana was shocked and could hardly believe that this question came from Tezuka Kunimitsu.
But the boy's sharp eyes were indeed looking at her, and seriousness and earnestness shone through his gold-rimmed glasses and shot straight at her, proving that the question she had just heard was not an illusion.
Help! How should I answer this?
Tezuka asked this question because of the system's previous wholesale confession. And he was an extremely serious person, so he would ask directly when there was something and would not waste time on internal affairs.
If she said she liked him, Tezuka's favorability rating was only around 50 points, so he wouldn't say something like "Let's be together" just because she said she liked him, but she couldn't lie. But if she said she didn't like him, it would affect the rest of the strategy...
Kurikawa Sana yelled in her mind: [Ah ...
system:【………】
System: [My fault, I’m sorry…]
So now, how should I answer?
Kurikawa Sana closed her eyes, took a deep breath, lowered her voice, and asked softly, "Is this question... important to Tezuka-kun?"
"Tezuka-kun, would you care about this?"
The young man was silent for a moment, and after a while he replied in a low voice:
"Yeah, a little."
“……!”
Now it was Kurikawa Sana's turn to be really surprised.
It’s unbelievable that Mr. Iceberg would actually admit that he cares a little!
Could it be that it is precisely because Tezuka is such a serious person that his seemingly low favorability actually has a lot of value?
Or maybe it was just because of some factors at this stage, as he said before, he would focus on his studies and the victory of Seigaku, and other things like feelings would be put in the back seat, so he suppressed his affection.
No, no, no, that kind of analysis is too narcissistic. Kurikawa Sana silently performed a Dumbledore shake, shaking the water out of her mind.
Seeing her look of shock and confusion as she shook her head, Tezuka Kunimitsu paused and took the initiative to change the subject, saying, "I'm sorry, my question was too offensive. Kurikawa-san doesn't have to answer."
"Traveling together is a more intimate way of getting along. I want to know the answer to this question because I want to find the right balance in getting along."
I see.
Kurikawa Sana suddenly realized.
Tezuka was worried that she still "liked" him, and that if she joined their family trip, he would have the illusion of being too close to her and develop some beautiful and unnecessary fantasies, which would make her even more sad.
So he wanted to know the answer to the question and find the right balance in getting along with her. Ultimately, he was afraid that she would be hurt and sad.
Wow, she is really too narcissistic. She didn’t mean that at all.
Kurikawa Sana was really frustrated, but she didn't want to make the other party worry, so she kept smiling, "It's okay, Tezuka-kun, we can just get along as normal friends-"
Tezuka Kunimitsu nodded. The girl in front of him was smiling, but there was a hint of forcedness in her smile.
"I'm sorry, I don't have much experience with girls," Tezuka Kunimitsu said. "If there's anything that makes you unhappy, please tell me."
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, then quickly smiled and waved her hands, saying, "No, no, I'm always happy with Tezuka-kun."
[Tezuka Kunimitsu, Favorability +2.]
——What a nice person.
He is simply a person composed of two beautiful qualities: sincerity and seriousness.
Kurikawa Sana sighed silently in her heart, and the frustration of the last second turned into the guilt of having to conquer
…
*
During the following journey, not only the Tezuka family enjoyed the happy and joyful atmosphere, but even Kurikawa Sana was immersed in it.
Naraijuku is tranquil and beautiful at night, its ancient charm and charm making it feel like a time capsule back to the Edo period. Karuizawa, known as Tokyo's back garden, is a vast, green forest oxygen bar, where cycling through it and breathing in the fresh air is incredibly refreshing.
Most importantly, the care and warmth of the Tezuka family made Kurikawa Sana even a little dazed.
Grandpa Tezuka would carry the fish he'd caught in Kamikochi all the way to the hotel in Narai-juku, instructing the kitchen to prepare her favorite pan-fried dishes. When Aunt Ayana noticed her coughing once or twice, she'd immediately run to the pharmacy to buy medicine and bring it to her room, worryingly explaining that flu season is so common, and even a minor cough shouldn't be taken lightly. Uncle Kuniharu's kindness and compassion were a warm welcome. He recognized Kurikawa Sana's reservedness and discomfort, and he offered warm, thoughtful touches to help her fully engage with the journey.
Gradually, she even forgot why she had come to Nagano Prefecture in the first place. Before she knew it, she had become truly immersed in the atmosphere of getting along with the Tezuka family, rather than her original purpose of raiding.
In the real world, Kurikawa Sana lacks the company of her parents and family. Her parents are often away from home, and even if they were, Kurikawa Sana can't imagine her father or mother running to a pharmacy so far away to buy medicine for her in the middle of the night just because of a minor cough.
What's more, let alone a minor cough, even though they knew she had a fatal heart disease, even when she was on the verge of death, her parents were still abroad, leaving her to fend for herself.
The night before yesterday, when Sana Kurikawa received the medicine sent by Aunt Ayana in the hotel room, she was stunned for a long time, unable to tell whether she was flattered or so moved that her eyes were sore and tears were flowing.
Aunt Ayana was also stunned at the time. She touched Kurikawa Sana's head with heartache and gently told her to take care of her body and not to be like Kunimitsu, who always carried all the discomfort on her own no matter where it happened. He also insisted on playing for the team until he couldn't lift his arms and had to go to Germany for treatment.
Having rarely felt the care and concern from her elders, Kurikawa Sana didn't know how to describe the touching feeling in her heart. In the end, she silently decided in her heart that she would be better to Tezuka-kun, and even better, in order to repay Aunt Ayana for the warmth she had brought.
"Sana, do you think this looks good on me?"
"It looks good! Aunt Ayana looks good in anything she wears——"
"Sana, come and try this set. If you like it, auntie will give it to you!"
Karuizawa boasts Japan's largest outlet mall, a sprawling complex reminiscent of a European resort. Inside one of the affordable luxury stores, three men from the Tezuka family, one older, one middle-aged, and one younger, each clutching several large shopping bags overflowing with goods, stood quietly waiting.
Kurikawa Sana and Tezuka Ayana get along very well and are very happy. Looking at the two of them happily choosing clothes together, even Tezuka Kunimitsu's father, Tezuka Kuniharu, couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
He didn't say it, but this picture really looks like his son's girlfriend is choosing clothes for Caicai.
Tezuka Kuniharu felt overwhelmed when he thought that Kunimitsu actually rejected Sana.
You'll regret it someday! Sana is such a good kid—
"Kunimitsu, your mother really likes Sana." Tezuka Kuniharu sighed, "Not only does Ayana like her, your grandfather and I also like this child very much. When she is around, the atmosphere of the journey becomes more lively."
Kunimitsu Tezuka hummed, then continued to freeze in place like a statue, a statue with two large shopping bags hanging from its arms.
Tezuka Kuniharu fell into silence.
His son, Kunimitsu, was good in every way except for his aloofness. Tezuka Kuniharu's father often found topics to talk about, but they often fell silent after just two sentences. It wasn't that his son was being aloof on purpose; it was simply his personality that meant he couldn't say much.
Noticing that the atmosphere had become quiet again, Kunimitsu Tezuka fell into silence like his father.
“………”
Kunimitsu Tezuka is well aware of his own characteristics. Even when the whole family is outing to enjoy family happiness, he will appear too quiet because of his overly calm and indifferent personality.
But this time is different.
This time, there is a new change - Kurikawa Sana.
Kurikawa Sana is lively and cute. Her joining makes the whole journey more lively and warm.
She would fish with her grandfather at Kamikochi, helping him land a large fish every three minutes, bringing even the usually serious grandfather to a chorus of delight. She and her mother had no generation gap, as if they were sisters. Even her father seemed more relaxed and cheerful, now that there was someone else to liven things up, freeing him from the burden of solitary effort.
The Tezuka family's family trip was suddenly joined by a girl from another school whom they were not very familiar with. The combination should have been a bit strange and awkward, but it blended in so perfectly that there was no sense of incongruity.
In the green of Karuizawa, when Kunimitsu Tezuka was walking behind and looking at the backs of his family and the black-haired girl walking side by side from afar, there was a moment when he found that he seemed to... enjoy it.
For some reason, Kunimitsu Tezuka recalled the days when he was receiving treatment alone in Germany not long ago.
No matter how mature he looks, he is still just a third-year junior high school student. The time he spent traveling alone to Germany for treatment was very lonely. Tezuka Kunimitsu once thought that he was mature and calm enough to deal with this loneliness.
But now it seems that everything is just because there is no comparison, or he is ordering himself to be strong.
If you have never seen the sun, you will not find darkness unbearable.
Although the days in Germany could not be described as dark and difficult, he did feel that... this moment was indeed warm and happy.
…
The other side.
With a "ding" sound.
[Tezuka Kunimitsu, Favorability +3. ]
After hearing the prompt sound, Kurikawa Sana subconsciously looked in the direction of Tezuka Kunimitsu.
The young man with brown hair was tall and had long legs. He was leaning against the wall in casual clothes with a relaxed and calm posture. There was still no fluctuation on his handsome face, as if the person who had just gained his favorability was not him.
"Sana, do you think this wristband is suitable for Kunimitsu?"
Tezuka Ayana's voice drew Kurikawa Sana's attention back. Aunt Ayana was holding a pair of pure cotton sports wristbands in her hands. They were quite expensive, with red and green colors, and the brand's classic logo printed on them.
Before Kurikawa Sana could answer, Tezuka Ayana shook her head. "No, this pair of wristbands looks nice, but they might be too conspicuous on campus. It would be bad if some devilish kid found an excuse to hurt someone."
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized that Aunt Ayana must be referring to the incident when Tezuka Kunimitsu was hit on the elbow by a senior student when he was in the first year of junior high school.
Seeing Kurikawa Sana's visibly stunned look, Tezuka Ayana sighed, "Sana, you don't know, when Kunimitsu was a freshman in junior high, he was severely bullied by the seniors. At that time, because Kunimitsu was a good player, they became jealous, and they actually hit Kunimitsu's elbow with their rackets—"
"Auntie Caicai..."
Kurikawa Sana also looked sad, and she quietly listened to Aunt Ayana.
"Guoguang was still growing at the time, and the elbow is the most important part of his body when playing tennis. The racket was so hard, and that senior student must have hit him with all his might. We went to the hospital for an X-ray, and the doctor said Guoguang's elbow was fractured and the ligaments were severely damaged. Even now, it hasn't recovered to its original state, and it still hurts when it rains..."
Tezuka Ayana grew increasingly angry as she thought about it, her body trembling slightly. "This isn't just affecting Kunimitsu's dream of playing tennis; it's affecting his life as a normal person. He's done nothing wrong, so why should he endure this?! Those people destroyed someone else's arm out of jealousy..."
Kurikawa Sana also clenched her fists, and her heart began to ache and feel sad.
Although she also knew that Kunimitsu Tezuka had injured his elbow, she did not know so many details and did not know that his injury was so serious.
She couldn't help but think of the shocking and famous battle between Tezuka and Atobe at the Tokyo Metropolitan Conference.
Not only did she cry that day, but many students from Seigaku and other students from other schools who had never met Tezuka cried as well, which was enough to prove his personal charm. Everyone was shocked by Tezuka Kunimitsu's perseverance.
Now that I think about it, Tezuka knew exactly how serious his injury was, but he still persevered through such a long tie-break seventh game...
He was literally using his arm like a time bomb, gambling his own future, and persisting for Seigaku's victory.
"Sorry, Sana, am I talking too much to myself?" Tezuka Ayana wiped her eyes, "I kept talking so much..."
"No, Aunt Ayana." Kurikawa Sana shook her head and said softly, "I just feel... very sorry for Tezuka-kun."
The black-haired girl's worry and sadness were evident in her words. Tezuka Ayana opened up and choked up, saying, "Guoguang is such a jerk... He had to go to Germany for surgery alone. The treatment there wasn't easy, and he just carried it all alone..."
“……!”
Kurikawa Sana was stunned.
Once again, subconsciously, she turned her head to look in the direction of Tezuka Kunimitsu.
This time, her eyes met with Tezuka Kunimitsu's.
Seeing her suddenly turn around and look at him, a gleam of light flashed in Tezuka Kunimitsu's narrow and long phoenix eyes.
But soon, he raised his head slightly and adjusted the angle. The bright light from the store's chandelier fell down, reflecting off his glasses, blocking all the emotions in his eyes.
[Tezuka Kunimitsu, Favorability +2.]
Under the lights, the young man is handsome and graceful, his arms slender and muscular beneath his polo shirt. No one could imagine what these arms have been through, what they carry. Neither heavy nor light, these arms carry the burning dreams beneath the boy's cool exterior.
One person performs the surgery, one person treats the disease... Tezuka and her in the real world seem to be...
Kurikawa Sana turned her head to look at Aunt Ayana with some sadness and said comfortingly: "Thank goodness it's all over now, Aunt Ayana."
"Yes, it's all in the past. I hope his arm injury doesn't recur." Tezuka Ayana was lost in thought. "Kunimitsu dreamed of playing professional tennis. He was so talented and loved it so much. If he couldn't play tennis... I can't even imagine it."
"Tezuka-kun will be fine again." Kurikawa Sana said softly, as if comforting Aunt Ayana, but also as if it was a promise she made.
"Thank you, Sana, for listening to me." Tezuka Ayana's already loving eyes became even gentler. She raised her hand and touched Kurikawa Sana's face, saying softly, "Good boy, Auntie likes you very much."
Kurikawa Sana closed her eyes gently and rubbed her cheek against the woman's palm.
Aunt Ayana’s hands…are so warm.
…
*
The last stop of the two or three-day weekend trip is Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.
Lake Suwa is a large, circular lake located in central Nagano Prefecture. Already renowned for its stunning scenery, it gained even greater fame after a certain animated film became a global hit, attracting countless visitors.
The story of the movie tells the story of a male and female protagonist who travel through time and space to exchange bodies and secretly fall in love with each other. Until one day, the male protagonist can no longer contact the female protagonist, and he is shocked to find that the female protagonist had died in the disaster when a comet fell into the town many years ago.
To save the heroine, the hero creates a miracle and reconnects time and space, finally meeting her by Lake Suwa and revealing the truth. The heroine also uses her courage and ingenuity to save the townspeople who were destined to die, thus changing the original trajectory of history.
The scene before my eyes completely overlapped with the famous scene in the movie. A huge circular lake connected to the sky. In the evening, the fiery clouds hung in the sky, reflecting the lake into a dreamy pink and gold color, just like the scene when the hero and heroine met.
Standing by Lake Suwa, overlooking the scenery that was almost exactly the same as in the movie, Kurikawa Sana felt as if she could almost hear the classic background music from the movie. She even felt her throat itching, and suddenly had a strong urge to shout out that classic line -
[What’s your name? —]
"Tezuka-kun, have you seen this movie?" Kurikawa Sana asked him curiously.
Tezuka Kunimitsu nodded calmly, "I have seen it."
Kurikawa Sana became excited and took out her phone, "Then Tezuka-kun, can you accompany me to take this photo?"
I've wanted to shoot this for a long time! That super funny abstract video——
To pay tribute to the original work, she also brought the same red hairband as the heroine.
Tezuka Kunimitsu looked down and saw the classic piano BGM background melody playing on her phone. The boy and girl in the video replicated the classic upper and lower standing positions of the protagonists in the movie.
The two looked at each other, began to be moved, choked, and twitched, but could not put together a complete sentence, and began to repeat "Huh?", "Huh?", "Huh?"... until the end, the camera raised up, and the four big characters of the classic opening appeared - Jun's name.
Tezuka Kunimitsu: “…”
He had also seen this abstract short video, which was extremely popular on Japanese Twitter and had become a meme that almost everyone knew about.
"Do you really want to shoot it?" he asked.
"Is it okay?" Kurikawa Sana looked at him with sparkling eyes. Her azure eyes were as beautiful as gems, even more dazzling than the blue sky in Karuizawa during the day.
Kunimitsu Tezuka found himself unable to say no.
So he agreed: "Okay, I'll shoot with you."
Kurikawa Sana: "!!!"
Did she hear correctly? Tezuka actually agreed!
She was originally thinking that how could Tezuka, such a serious man, possibly go crazy with her - but the next second, he actually agreed!
Tezuka has a cold personality and his favorability grows very slowly. Kurikawa Sana just wanted to take a different approach and do something abstract to tease him, but she didn't expect that he would actually agree.
"Really?!"
Tezuka Kunimitsu: “Yeah.”
"Here we go!" Kurikawa Sana placed the stand on the ground, placed her phone on it, set the time-lapse shooting and camera position, and then walked into the camera, "Ready to start——"
"Yeah." Tezuka Kunimitsu was very frugal with his words.
The recording had already started. Kurikawa Sana looked at the other person with a look of shock, "Huh?"
Tezuka Kunimitsu was silent for three full seconds, then, as if finally mentally prepared, he uttered a single syllable from his throat, expressionless and ready to die.
A short, quick syllable, like completing an extremely difficult task.
Kurikawa Sana: "..."
Kurikawa Sana started laughing wildly in her heart: "Puhahahahahahaha!!"
I could never have imagined in my lifetime that the syllable "eh" would come out of Kunimitsu Tezuka's mouth.
It was unbelievable to hear Tezuka say the word "Eh" in his deep and mature voice, as if he had been working in society for ten years.
In order to restore the rhythm of that classic abstract video, Kurikawa Sana suppressed the urge to laugh and continued very professionally: "Huh?"
Tezuka Kunimitsu continued expressionlessly: "Yeah."
Kurikawa Sana continued to stifle laughter. According to the original rhythm of the video, both parties should have exchanged several "eh"s before the scene was over, but she decided to be kind and get to the point early: "Have we met somewhere before?"
Tezuka Kunimitsu's expression changed at this time. The eyes behind the young man's gold-rimmed glasses became a little gentler, and he said the original line, "I think so too."
Kurikawa Sana was stunned for a moment, and for a moment she felt that the other party was not acting at this moment.
Could it be that Tezuka-kun has the talent to enter the entertainment industry?
"Your name is—" she said the last line.
Okay, we’re done filming.
Kurikawa Sana quickly put away the phone holder and saved the video, then watched it again and couldn't stop laughing.
——It’s too weird, the contrast is too extreme.
If Tezuka's funny teammates at Seigaku saw this video and saw their aloof and cold captain like this, they would probably be laughing from this year to next.
Tezuka Kunimitsu closed his eyes, looking helpless.
But when he heard the girl's laughter, he couldn't help but open his eyes and look at her again.
The girl bent over with laughter, almost curling up like a soft kitten, her shoulders shaking with laughter, and her already extremely beautiful face became even more dazzling because of her bright smile.
The evening breeze blew her silky black hair and also raised the girl's clear laughter, like a wind chime suddenly ringing in the summer.
In addition to her laughter, Kunimitsu Tezuka suddenly heard other sounds.
It seemed to be his heartbeat.
Tezuka Kunimitsu slowly raised his left hand and pressed it on his chest.
He suddenly realized something: he seemed to be happy because she was happy.
For the first time, Kunimitsu Tezuka discovered that his strict personality could actually bring happiness to others.
Just cooperate with her to shoot a short video and she can laugh so happily.
The pounding of his chest beneath his palms increased again, his heart beating faster than during the hour-long tie-break.
[Tezuka Kunimitsu, Favorability +4. ]
“…?!”
Kurikawa Sana quietly looked up at him, and Tezuka quickly put down his hand that was on his chest, his expression as usual.
Wow, it turns out that being abstract can also increase favorability?
"It's quite late. Do you want to go back and reunite with Aunt Ayana?" asked Kurikawa Sana.
Because Aunt Ayana had booked a highly rated restaurant and needed to arrive early, she went there first with Uncle Kuniharu and Grandpa Tezuka. Time was too tight, and the three elders had originally planned to cancel the Lake Suwa trip.
But perhaps her desire to check in at Lake Suwa was too obvious, and Kurikawa Sana noticed that Aunt Ayana winked at Tezuka Kunimitsu, so the two of them had some space alone by the lake.
"Okay." Tezuka Kunimitsu responded.
Aunt Ayana and the others were quite far away. On the way over, in the center of the shopping street, Kurikawa Sana was still thinking about the video she had just filmed. After editing and setting the music, she couldn't stop laughing even more.
She handed the phone to Tezuka Kunimitsu, "Hey, Tezuka-kun, do you want to take a look together? You made Tezuka-kun look very handsome!"
Tezuka Kunimitsu took the phone somewhat helplessly, "Okay, let me take a look."
He found that when facing Kurikawa Sana, he seemed to have become the type who could only say "yes" and agree to everything she said.
The video is really interesting. She has already matched the background music, and the flavor is right right away.
Although the location is wrong, the original conversation was supposed to take place on a staircase with a red handrail, but filming it here at Lake Suwa has its own unique flavor.
Even in this deliberately quirky video, the girl remains incredibly beautiful. A thin crimson hairband entwined within her black hair. There's an indescribable sense of fate.
Tezuka Kunimitsu stared at it for a long time.
"How's it going, Tezuka-kun?" Kurikawa Sana asked him with a smile, "Is the photo of you looking handsome?"
Tezuka Kunimitsu said softly, "Hmm," and said, "Can you send me this video?"
Kurikawa Sana was surprised at first, then immediately agreed: "Of course, but I didn't expect Tezuka-kun to collect this kind of video..."
She leaned over, and just as Tezuka Kunimitsu was about to return the phone to her, and Kurikawa Sana was about to send the video, Tezuka Kunimitsu felt his phone vibrate, and the vibration made his arm a little numb.
The same thing happened to his own cell phone in his pocket, which vibrated violently.
“……?!”
People living on this land are very familiar with this. This vibration is...an earthquake warning that will be pushed to all citizens' mobile phones before every earthquake!
In the center of the commercial street, the surrounding crowd began to gasp, mixed with cries of disbelief, fear, and panic.
“Is this true?!”
"It's a lie..."
“This is too sudden…!”
Kurikawa Sana and Tezuka Kunimitsu looked at each other, then immediately looked at their phone screens.
——It really is an earthquake warning.
> Emergency earthquake warning table.
> Strong い揺れに warning してください.
> Predicted earthquake intensity: 7 (Nagano Prefecture coast)
> Arrival time: about 25 seconds
> Time of occurrence: 18:48
> Epicenter: Oki, Nagano Prefecture
Magnitude: 7.4
…
Tezuka Kunimitsu's pupils constricted for a moment.
Kurikawa Sana's heart suddenly turned cold, and she fell straight down as if being pulled by a huge lead ball.
...Why is it so sudden?!
Earthquakes are commonplace in Japan, and residents are used to them. A minor quake of magnitude 4 or 5 usually doesn't require much evacuation. But this was different. It was a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, with a maximum intensity of 7.0! The ground cracked, buildings collapsed, and a tsunami was expected—and they were at the epicenter, in Nagano Prefecture, a region known for its frequent earthquakes!
For a major earthquake of magnitude 7 or above, it is already very good to receive an emergency warning before the earthquake, although the reaction time is only 25 seconds.
In these short twenty-five seconds, Kurikawa Sana thought a lot. She had never realized that she could recall so much memory in 25 seconds.
She immediately analyzed the locations of the restaurants where Aunt Ayana, Uncle Kuniharu, and Grandpa Tezuka were staying. Before leaving for Nagano Prefecture, in order to capture Tezuka Kunimitsu and to have a chance encounter with him here, Kurikawa Sana practically memorized the entire map of Nagano Prefecture.
If she remembered correctly, there was a large open space next to the restaurant where Aunt Ayana worked, which happened to be an emergency shelter. Aunt Ayana, Uncle Kuniharu and Grandpa Tezuka could reach there by turning left out of the hotel. It should be safe.
The street where she and Tezuka Kunimitsu were now was surrounded by residential and commercial buildings, which, according to the Building Standards Act, could not withstand an earthquake of magnitude 7 or above. In 25 seconds, they would all collapse, leaving her and Tezuka with nowhere to escape.
This was the first time Kurikawa Sana felt so regretful.
I regret why I went to Lake Suwa to check in, why I didn’t go to the restaurant directly with Aunt Ayana and the others with Kunimitsu Tezuka, and why I took a short video.
If the video hadn't been taken, would she and Tezuka be in a safe place now?
Aunt Ayana's choking voice at the outlet this morning was still echoing in her mind. Kurikawa Sana's heart ached, and she almost subconsciously looked at Tezuka's left hand.
If it weren't for her desire to go to Lake Suwa, if it weren't for Tezuka being with his family to accompany her, perhaps he could have avoided danger...
If Tezuka was injured again in the earthquake because of her, Kurikawa Sana couldn't imagine how sad Aunt Ayana would be.
Tezuka's arm must not be injured again.
…
All her thoughts seemed to pass in a matter of seconds. Almost at the same moment she saw the earthquake alarm, she and Tezuka Kunimitsu were already running. The two of them were in perfect harmony, as if they had practiced this many times, their muscles urging them to rush forward.
Tezuka Kunimitsu took her hand and squeezed it tightly. She had never seen such an expression on his face, which was always calm and composed.
Time passes quickly in seconds.
Twenty-five seconds...
Twenty seconds...
Ten seconds...
Five, four, three, two, one...
With a loud "boom".
What is coming will eventually come.
At first there was only a slight shaking. The electric poles on the road swayed from side to side as if they were drunk, the leaves on the street rustled, and the crisp sound of glass falling to the ground and shattering came from the surrounding shops. The outlines of the buildings in the distance began to blur.
Soon, what followed was a sudden and violent tremor, and a low and terrifying roar came from the ground beneath his feet, like the roar of an ancient beast.
The asphalt road surface began to crack, with cracks visible to the naked eye. Dust and debris flew everywhere. The sirens of cars, the screams of passers-by, and the cries of collapsing buildings mixed together. The world was in great chaos, and the whole world lost its balance in an instant.
The ground was shaking violently, and Kurikawa Sana clearly felt that her feet were out of control and she staggered.
"It'll be okay, Kurikawa, believe me." Tezuka Kunimitsu tightened his grip on her hand, and the two of them ran together towards an open space with as few buildings as possible, never stopping.
"Tezuka-kun, be careful!" Kurikawa Sana saw a sharp steel bar falling from above Tezuka Kunimitsu's head, about to hit the two of them -
The asphalt road behind has also cracked, and there is no way to retreat. If you continue to rush forward, you will encounter the sharp steel bar, which is unavoidable.
Without any hesitation, Tezuka Kunimitsu turned around and hugged the girl behind him tightly, protecting her completely with his body.
“……!”
Kurikawa Sana opened her eyes wide in surprise.
At this angle, the steel bar would fall on him and pierce his back.
But Tezuka stood in front of her without hesitation.
…Why are you so nice to her?
Kurikawa Sana's nose felt sore. In this critical moment, almost like muscle memory, she quickly exchanged for a [Pair of Sturdy Rackets] in the system mall and swung it out of the black hole with lightning speed -
The sharp steel bars fell into the black hole, were sucked in, swallowed up, and then disappeared.
As if he had noticed something, Tezuka Kunimitsu loosened his arms, turned around and silently looked at the racket in her hand that was halfway through swinging, and the black hole that just disappeared in front of him.
“………”
Kurikawa Sana knew that she was abstract, but she didn't have time to complain about herself.
This time it was her turn to forcefully take Tezuka Kunimitsu's hand, holding it tightly with their fingers intertwined, "Let's keep running, Tezuka-kun!"
Tezuka Kunimitsu looked at her deeply and said, "Okay."
But the next second.
The earth shook even more violently, as if the entire land had been thrown into a blender. Not to mention continuing to run forward, even standing still became extremely difficult.
An entire building collapsed in front of them, blocking all escape routes.
They clearly heard the sound of the ground cracking, as if human flesh was being torn apart, making a creepy "hissing" sound.
Unable to retreat, the ground behind him had cracked open, and there was a bottomless abyss below.
A huge stone slab fell down, and Kurikawa Sana clearly saw the shadow expanding rapidly. The stone slab that was about to fall blocked all the light and was about to fall on them.
Can a stone slab as big as an entire wall be absorbed by a black hole created by a tennis racket?
The answer should be no.
But I don’t know the strength of O’Neal, Leon and Federer. Can they fight against them?
"Tezuka-kun." Kurikawa Sana called him softly, "I won't let you get hurt again."
“……?!”
As if he suddenly realized what she wanted to do, Tezuka Kunimitsu was stunned, and the next second, he was knocked to the ground by Kurikawa Sana.
“Boom!!!”
Before the stone slabs and walls fell down and his vision was completely engulfed by darkness, the last image reflected in Tezuka Kunimitsu's retina was the girl's flying black hair and her falling red hairband.
The girl placed her hands on either side of his head, knelt on her knees, and arched her back.
With a protective posture, she used her body to support everything that fell down, creating a safe life triangle for the people under her.
Tezuka Kunimitsu's glasses shattered to the ground. He didn't feel any pain, but he smelled a fishy and sweet smell in the air.
“Tick, tick…”
It was the sound of blood dripping onto the ground.
He reached out his hands in disbelief and hugged the girl.
"...Kurikawa!!!"
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